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THE WATCH SCHOLAR
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As a specialist member of the Jewellery Valuers Association, I am in awe of the vast number of educational opportunities available to gemologists and students of jewellery. Sadly, for watches… there was virtually nothing.
So, from 2024, I am proud to announce the launch of ‘The Watch Scholar’, a series of brand-independent courses and resources to bring further education to the watch world.
For those who want to build watches, fantastic opportunities exist with the British Horological Institute, The British School of Watchmaking and of course Birmingham City University. For those who want to sell watches, value watches, authenticate watches, or just find out more about them, The Watch Scholar is for you.
For over ten years, I have taught the UK’s only course on 'Fake, Franken, and Customised Watches', helping businesses avoid costly mistakes. I'm delighted to say that this course is now joined by 'An Introduction to Watches’, both beginner and advanced, 'A Guide to Valuing Watches', and ‘The Fine Art of Selling Watches’. All subjects close to my heart and it gives me great pleasure to share over thirty years of experience to help others learn more about our fascinating industry.
As an experienced professional in the watch industry said to me recently, ‘The knowledge is assumed, but no one actually teaches you. You can go for years without ever covering the basics, which gets embarrassing.’ As the retail market gets tougher, flippers vanish, and the only people buying are those who actually want to own and enjoy watches. My ‘secret shopper’ exercises and interviews show that customer service is often more ‘cash and wrap’ than a passionate endorsement - this isn’t good.
Collaborating with well-established and credible international organisations, the mission of The Watch Scholar is to build knowledge-backed enthusiasm for watches, combined with a resource hub for watch value data, research and authentication archives, servicing and accessory providers, and other vital services for the watch community.
If you require the content of any of the courses below tailored specifically to your organisation, or have more than eight people to train, it may be better for you to host a private event. Please do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss this.
Staying up to date with the latest developments in watches, both real and counterfeit, is vital in today's fast-moving market.
This needs to be balanced with an understanding of vintage watches,
their development and context.
CURRENT TRAINING COURSES
Watch Authentication
Identifying Fake, Franken & Customised Watches
Two Day Course
As the problem of counterfeit watches gets bigger, the copies get more accurate, and more brands are affected, The Watch Scholar’s ‘Fake Franken & Customised Watches’ course has had to expand to cope with the demand in knowledge.
Responding to feedback and demand from our attendees, the new course will offer more detail, more brands, more interaction, and more real-life fake watch examples to handle.
Due to the extra content, the course will now cover two days. Fakes will take up the whole of Day One, with Franken watches and Customised pieces the subjects of Day Two.
On completion of the course, attendees with be eligible to access exclusive and individual ‘deep-dive’ brand modules as they become available in early 2025.
Next course dates:
Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th June 2025, London
Tuesday 30th Sept & Weds 1st October 2025, London
(If you require the content of this event tailored to your organisation or have more than 6 people to train it might be better for you to host a private event. Please get in touch to discuss this).
A Guide to Valuing Watches
Two Day Course
Applying a value to a watch can be necessary for many reasons. It may be a replacement value at the new retail level or a replacement from the secondary market. It may be a value to sell or a value for probate or family division. For each of these situations, it is crucial to understand which market you should be comparing to and the exact nature of your watch.
This two day course will enable more competitive reserve setting for auction without being unrealistic, and prevent overlending against watches, facilitating better buying decisions.
Next course dates:
Tuesday 16th & Wednesday 17th September 2025, London
(If you require the content of this event tailored to your organisation or have more than 6 people to train it might be better for you to host a private event. Please get in touch to discuss this).
The Fine Art of Selling Luxury Watches
One Day Course
The art and skill of selling watches has never been more important. Striking the right balance between engaging and pushy is tricky. You want to make a friend, but you also want to make a sale.
This one day course will teach you how to combine your knowledge and your enthusiasm in the most appropriate way, depending on the customer, and of course, the competition.
Next course date: Tuesday 14th October 2025, London
(If you require the content of this event tailored to your organisation or have more than 6 people to train it might be better for you to host a private event. Please get in touch to discuss this).
Introduction to Watches - The Fundamentals
One Day Course
An introductory program for those with little or no experience with watches.
By the end of this short course, our delegates have found that they have gained a solid grounding in the world of watches and are now able to talk confidently about the parts of a watch, their functionalities, movement types, complications, and other unique features, by brand.
Next course date: Tuesday 7th October 2025, London
(If you require the content of this event tailored to your organisation or have more than 6 people to train it might be better for you to host a private event. Please get in touch to discuss this).
A Deeper Insight into the Art of Watchmaking
One Day Course
At the end of this one day course, you will have a comprehensive understanding on the more complex elements of watch making, including complications, case features, and the wide variety of manufacturing methods used in both vintage and modern timepieces.
We also take time to examine the modern watch market and the relative brand positions within it.
Next course date: Wednesday 8th October 2025, London
(If you require the content of this event tailored to your organisation or have more than 6 people to train it might be better for you to host a private event. Please get in touch to discuss this).
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Company Registration No. 15565552
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